Derani targets home-race breakthrough as Genesis heads to Interlagos

Derani returns home with Genesis momentum to prove

Pipo Derani arrives at the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo with both a point to prove and a rare opportunity to do it on home soil. The 32-year-old Paulista has built an accomplished career that already includes two top-tier IMSA titles, victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and multiple FIA WEC class podiums, including two wins. Yet Interlagos has remained a surprisingly limited part of his racing story.

At Spa-Francorchamps, his defensive late-race stint on heavily used tyres secured eighth place and Genesis’ first points. That result remains the clearest marker so far of the team’s potential, particularly after frustration followed at Le Mans, where the #17 retired with suspension failure two-thirds into the race while chasing a second consecutive top-ten finish. Brazilian motorsport momentum has been a recurring theme across categories, including Lucas di Grassi’s recent Formula E comeback victory in Shanghai, and Derani now has his own chance to deliver in front of a home crowd.

Le Mans frustration sharpens São Paulo objective

Derani acknowledged the disappointment of Le Mans but pointed to the performance gains shown there as evidence that Genesis is moving in the right direction. “Hopefully we can continue our progress and get back to finishing races and scoring some points. To do that in my home race would be amazing,” he added.

Jaubert prepares for first Interlagos race

For Jaubert, São Paulo represents unfamiliar ground. The 21-year-old Frenchman, who impressed at Le Mans by going third-quickest in Hyperpole 1, said Interlagos will be his first race at the circuit. He has studied on-board footage and prepared on the simulator, with the target to adapt quickly, maximise every session and keep developing the current package.

Sister car seeks first points after Le Mans lessons

The sister GMR-001 of Mathieu Jaminet, Paul-Loup Chatin and Daniel Juncadella finished 13th at Le Mans, nine laps down, after running as high as fourth before a persistent power cycle issue damaged its points hopes.

Chatin described Le Mans as “an incredibly valuable experience” and said the team’s focus is now on closing the gap while remembering it remains in a development phase. He called Interlagos a unique, low-speed circuit with major history, setting a measured but clear target: keep learning, keep improving and gradually raise expectations.